By Becky Taylor

becky.taylor@gaflnews.com

TIFTON — Head coach Ashley Anders has announced that six Tift County Blue Devil football players have been invited to play in the Georgia-Florida War of the Border Friday at Lowndes High in Valdosta.

Anders said that Cody Thompson, Elvin Coney, Brenton Jones, John Michael Brooks, Montreal Henry and Juwarren Byrd will wear the Tift County blue for the game.

All six are seniors.

Brooks is an offensive guard. Jones, a running back, led the team in rushing a year after being converted from defense. Thompson and Coney are linebackers. Byrd split time at linebacker and defensive end and Henry was a cornerback.

Henry was named first team all-region for Region 1-AAAAAAA in 2016. Byrd, Coney and Jones were second team picks.

Via its Facebook page, Irwin County has also announced several players that will participating.

Ziaire Andrew, Ty Hogan, Jeremiah Ashley, Cartavion Benyard, Nathan Tucker, Tyler Soliday and Lamar Thomas were the Indians selected.

The War of the Border will take place at Martin Stadium on the Lowndes campus. Kickoff time will be at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 adults, $5 for students and free for ages five-and-under.

In addition to the game at Lowndes Friday, Tift County will have players represented at the 2017 North American Challenge at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. Jan. 28.

Anders said that wide receiver Rashod Bateman and strong safety Eric Atkins were picked to play.

In the North American Challenge, American national Under-18 and Under-19 teams will square off against players from Canada.

Bateman was first team all-region and Atkins was second team.

Atkins represented the United States in a similar game last year, the International Bowl in Dallas.